@petepetey We Had the luck of having Livingroom and Diningroom connected through and archway so, in essence, had one Long room to accomidate 25+ people/kids.
We had the leaves in the diningroom table and a long fold away plank table end to end with that going through the archway.
The large Cards table became the Kids table.
With the tablecloths( Paper ) you didn't see the tables anyway. Nearly Shoulder to shoulder just made it more of a Family Gathering Event than a formal dinner.
That plank table made the rounds to whomever was hosting the big dinner that year.
In our family after dinner the womenfolk and kids would Do the dishes and kettles and talk about Thanksgivings past. AKA pass on Family history. After Dishes were done Then Dessert was served.
Remind Her to TAKE PICTURES!